Tuesday night’s win against Watford saw Leeds United go six Championship games unbeaten and go joint first with Sunderland, second only to the Black Cats on the basis of games won.
The win over Watford has seen Leeds go level with Regis Le Bris’ Sunderland on points, goal difference. goals scored and goals conceded. The next difference between the two sides is Sunderland’s seven wins.
Leeds only have six, but have drawn four times while Sunderland have played a game less and lost two. The Whites have made a very solid start to the Championship season and their pursuit of promotion.
But failure to gain promotion last season, did culminate into a mini disaster in the summer. Leeds were forced into the sales of the likes of Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter.
Jermaine Pennant envisages potential disaster at Leeds United
Not only were Leeds forced into another season in the Championship by Southampton’s play-off final win at Wembley, but the Whites had to sell their best players in order to balance the books at Elland Road.
They have done that, but the same again would mean more players would be forced to leave Leeds. The club’s key players may have to be offloaded by The 49ers, as parachute payments reduce once again.
Pennant told Yahoo Sport that it would be a “disaster” if Leeds don’t go up again this season: “It would be hard for them financially if they don’t go up, a big hit and it would be a disaster but it’s a tough league.
“There are some big teams in it. I am sure that come 46 games, they will be there or thereabouts in the race to get back into the Premier League,” former Leeds man Pennant said, when discussing his old side.
Why comparisons to last season suggest Leeds are well-placed
Last season, at the 11-game mark, Leeds were in fifth place with 19 points. Now, not all Championship sides have played 11 games with seven games taking place on Wednesday night – but it looks promising.
Three places ahead of the same point last season, and three points. Leicester and Ipswich were on 30 and 28 points as the top two last term after 11 games, while Leeds and Sunderland lead the way on 22 points.
It looks good then. Leeds have played six of the other seven sides currently in the top eight of the current table, meaning there will be a run of easier games coming up. Not on Saturday though, at Bristol City.
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